The UK Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF) is an outline of the training required for health and social care professionals. It has been widely adopted by NHS trusts and it is open to commercial healthcare and social care providers in England, Scotland and Wales.

What’s good about the Core Skills Training Framework? It sets the standard in mandatory training, ensuring continuity across employers and trusts. Covering topics like Infection Prevention, Equality, and (since 2016) Radicalisation, it is a badge of reassurance for the benefit of patients, too.

What does the CSTF logo mean? It indicates that the course or supplier is aligned to the Core Skills Training Framework – meeting its standards for best practice. Skills for Health (funded by the Department of Health) publishes detailed guidance for each mandatory subject.

If you’re looking for CSTF courses, you’ll find them all here. HL Online Training is aligned to the UK Core Skills Training Framework, so you can be confident that it (a) meets a high standard of professionalism and (b) will be recognised by any provider that is already aligned with the CSTF.

What is the mandatory content of the Core Skills Training Framework?

There are ten key subjects in the Mandatory/Statutory section of the CSTF. Although there are some variations in the course content delivered in England, Scotland and Wales, the ten subjects are:

Will the Core Skills Training Framework benefit your organisation?

More and more providers are aligning with the Core Skills Training Framework, including agencies, bank staff, and health educators. Why?

It standardises the training received by health professionals – so each organisation has a benchmark to work with, rather than establishing its own level of competence

It clarifies the aims of mandatory training, and assures quality levels

It means that employers won’t need to retrain new staff unnecessarily

Guided by the Department of Health, the CSTF provides reassurance for patients too.

Ready to align with the Core Skills Training Framework?

It doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated to join the Core Skills Training Framework. HL Online Training produces courses designed to meet the right standards. We also provide you with learning management and delivery software – offering your organisation a simple, efficient way to operate training.

Whether you want to train 5 or 5,000 staff, you can make savings with HL Online Training. Our CSTF online courses start at 99p per person. They’re all written by qualified professionals, and delivered through our accessible learning programme. Snap up big savings on our business plans>